Baba Rampal Ashram

63-year-old Rampal Maharaj has repeatedly defied court orders to appear to answer charges of conspiracy to murder, inciting mobs and contempt of court.

For days, thousands of men, women and children have staked out at an ashram in Haryana's Hisar, forming a protective ring around self-styled godman Rampal, who faces arrest in a murder case. Many of them are now leaving, saying they were "forced" to stay by the baba and his supporters.

63-year-old Rampal Maharaj has repeatedly defied court orders to appear to answer charges of conspiracy to murder, inciting mobs and contempt of court.

For days, thousands of men, women and children have staked out at an ashram in Haryana's Hisar, forming a protective ring around self-styled godman Rampal, who faces arrest in a murder case. Many of them are now leaving, saying they were "forced" to stay by the baba and his supporters.